HackathonX 2024: An innovation platform by PETAKOM UMPSA

PEKAN, 22 November 2024 – HackathonX 2024, organised by Persatuan Mahasiswa Teknologi Komputer (PETAKOM), concluded successfully, leaving a lasting impact on students and the tech community.

The event spanned several months and brought together approximately 120 teams and over 250 students from prestigious institutions, including Public Universities (IPTA), Private Universities (IPTS), polytechnics, and other colleges.

HackathonX 2024 was the first-ever hackathon fully organised by PETAKOM students under the leadership of Logathepan a/l Muniyappan, providing an exciting opportunity for participants to showcase their skills and collaborate on innovative projects.

The theme for this year’s event, “Mission SDG: Code for Change,” inspired participants to develop projects aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). 

This theme allowed students to demonstrate their technical skills and creativity while addressing real-world challenges.

Ahead of the competition, participants were prepared through two essential workshops. On 19 October 2024, Shatthiya Ganes and Yattish, grand winners of the Astro-NACSA Coding Challenge and students from the Faculty of Computing, conducted a Flutter Workshop. 

The workshop introduced participants to mobile app development using the Flutter framework.

On 20 October 2024, Kamaleswarran Naidu, the CEO of Cybersphere Solution and a Faculty of Computing student, led a Business Pitching Workshop. 

This session provided valuable insights into how to pitch business ideas effectively, helping participants build their confidence for the competition.

HackathonX 2024 officially ran from 13 August 2023 to 20 November 2024, challenging students to think critically and develop innovative solutions. 

Teams worked on projects ranging from mobile applications to AI tools, all focused on achieving the SDGs.

The total prize pool for HackathonX 2024 was RM40,000, generously supported by MDEC, Runcloud Education, Cyberview, and Cybersphere Solution.

The Champion of HackathonX 2024 was the Tiramissu team from Multimedia University (MMU), who won RM2,500 cash and a Professional Certificate in Cloud Practitioner for Software Engineers worth RM5,900, sponsored by Runcloud Education.

The First Runner-Up was the Code 202 team from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), who won RM1,500 cash and a Professional Certificate in Cloud Practitioner for Advanced Level worth RM2,900.

The Second Runner-Up was the win2gether team from Universiti Malaya (UM), who won RM900 cash and a Professional Certificate in Cloud Practitioner for Advanced Level worth RM2,900.

The Fourth Place prize was awarded to the MR LEW team from Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), who won RM500 cash. 

The Fifth Place prize was awarded to the Naper.io team from Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah (UMPSA), who won RM300 cash.

In addition to the competition, HackathonX 2024 included workshops and mentorship sessions led by industry experts and academics. 

These sessions provided guidance and support, helping participants refine their projects and ideas in preparation for the final presentations, which were held on 20 November 2024.

The final judging panel, which included industry professionals and academics, evaluated the projects based on their creativity, functionality, and impact.

The success of HackathonX 2024 was made possible through the guidance of advisors Ts. Dr Nabilah Filzah Mohd Radhuan and Ts. Dr Noor Azida Sahabudin. Contributions from Ts. Dr Nor Saradatul Akmar Zulkifli and Ts. Azma Abdullah, the former and current Ketua Pembangunan Pelajar, were also instrumental in the event's success.

Collaboration from 26 university student clubs further contributed to the event’s vibrant atmosphere, where ideas were exchanged and connections were built.

HackathonX 2024 demonstrated the power of creativity and innovation in addressing today’s challenges, while also emphasising the importance of collaboration between students, institutions, and industry leaders.

Looking ahead, PETAKOM plans to expand the event for future editions, welcoming more teams, workshops, and networking opportunities. 

HackathonX 2024 marks the beginning of an exciting journey for PETAKOM, and the future of hackathons in the region looks bright.

By: Logathepan A/L Muniyappan, Faculty of Computing

Translation by: Aminatul Nor Mohamed Said, UMPSA Career Centre (UMPSACC)